Police use wrong law to ban PDP anniversary

By Tatenda Dewa

Police have banned the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) first anniversary that was scheduled for Bulawayo using a legal instrument applying only to central Harare.

The PDP anniversary was set for 11 September at the White City Arena in the second capital, but Bulawayo police refused to clear it using Statutory Instrument 101A that was issued last week to ban demonstrations in Harare’s central business district till 16 September, according to the opposition party’s statement on Monday.

“The police were citing the unconstitutional Statutory Instrument 101A, a statute only applicable to Harare central business district.

“The police told the PDP Bulawayo provincial leadership that the anniversary celebrations could not take place after having previously accorded clearance for the event. However, the PDP is working on approaching the courts to challenge the police directive,” said PDP.